Cable storage apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A cable storage apparatus includes a keyboard member having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A plurality of keys are provided in the first side. A void area is defined by the second side. A cable support is removably mounted in the void area.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to computer systems, and more particularly to a cable storage for a keyboard cable.

[0002] As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

[0003] Shipping products from suppliers to assemblers and from assemblers to consumers involves freight costs and material (packaging) costs. Reducing the volume of a shipping container can save on each of these costs.

[0004] The reduction of volume of a shipping container has inherent limitations due to the dimensions of the part being shipped. However, there is often available void space within the dimensions of the part where items can be stored. For example, when a keyboard is shipped, the attached cable or cord is coiled externally of the keyboard. The shipping container allows extra space for the cable.

[0005] Therefore, what is needed is a means for utilizing void space within the dimensions of the keyboard for storing the cord, thus enabling the reduction of volume of the keyboard shipping container.

SUMMARY

[0006] One embodiment, accordingly, provides a cable storage apparatus including a keyboard member having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A plurality of keys are provided on the first side. A void area is defined by the second side. A cable support is removably mounted in the void area.

[0007] A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the shipping package volume can be reduced to substantially the same dimensions of the keyboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an information handling system;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a keyboard including keys on a first side of the keyboard;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an underside of the keyboard opposite the keys;

[0011]FIGS. 4-11 illustrate various embodiments of a cable support which can be removably mounted on the underside of the keyboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

[0013] In one embodiment, information handling system 10, FIG. 1, includes a microprocessor 12, which is connected to a bus 14. Bus 14 serves as a connection between microprocessor 12 and other components of computer system 10. An input device 16 is coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide input to microprocessor 12. Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device 18, which is coupled to microprocessor 12. Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system 10 further includes a display 20, which is coupled to microprocessor 12 by a video controller 22. A system memory 24 is coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor 12. It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor 12 to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor.

[0014] Input device 12, FIG. 2, includes a keyboard member 26 having a first side 28 including a plurality of keys 30, and having a second side 32, FIG. 3, defining a void area 34 within the dimensions L-W-H of the keyboard member 26. A cable 36, FIGS. 2 and 3, is fixedly attached at a first end 38 and includes a free end 40. Cable 36 may be wrapped on a cable support 42 mounted in the void area 34 and thereby confined within the dimensions L-W-H of the keyboard member 26.

[0015] The cable support 42 includes a first portion 44 and a second portion 46. The first portion 44 may be formed on the second side 32 within the void area 34, and the second portion 46 may then be removably mounted on the first portion 44. Alternatively, the cable support 42 may be formed such that the first and second portions 44, 46, respectively, are attached as a unit to the second side 32.

[0016] In one embodiment, FIG. 4, the first portion is a snap-in receiver 144 recessed into the second side 32. The second portion is an L-shaped arm 146 which is snapped into the recessed receiver 144.

[0017] In one embodiment, FIG. 5, the first portion is a tab or tabs 244 extending from the second side 32. The second portion is an elongated bar 246 having one or more tab receivers 246 a for a snap-on connection with respective tabs 244.

[0018] In one embodiment, FIG. 6, the first portion is a tab or tabs 344 extending from the second side 32. The second portion is an L-shaped arm 346 having a tab receiver 346 a for a snap-on connection with a respective tab 344.

[0019] In one embodiment, FIG. 7, the first portion is a tab or tabs 444 extending from the second side 32. The second portion is a peg 446 extending through a respective tab 444.

[0020] In FIG. 8 for example, a one-piece bar 546 may include tabs 544 which seat in a receptacle 545 formed in second side 32. A tapered surface 547 retains tabs 544 in receptacle 545, however, the tabs 544 are flexible so that they can be removed from their seating in receptacle 545, as shown by dotted lines.

[0021] In FIG. 9 for example, the peg 446 may include a flexible split end 445 so that the peg 446 is easily snapped into a receiver 447 in tab 444, as is previously illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0022] In FIG. 10 for example, the bar 246 of FIG. 5, may include flexible tab receiver 246 a for seating into a seat 247 formed in tab 244, see also FIG. 7, as discussed above. Furthermore, in FIG. 11 for example, the bar 246 may alternatively include flexible tab receiver 246 a for seating in detents 249 in tab 244.

[0023] In operation, cable 36 is wrapped on the first portion 44 and retained on cable support 42 by the second portion 46. As such, the cable 36 is confined within the dimensions L-W-H of the keyboard member 26.

[0024] Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable storage apparatus comprising: a keyboard member having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a plurality of keys on the first side; a void area defined by the second side; and a cable support removably mounted in the void area.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the cable support includes a first portion formed on the second side.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the cable support includes a second portion removably attached to the first portion.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the first portion is a snap-in receiver recessed into the second side.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the second portion is an L-shaped arm snapped-into the recess.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the first portion is a tab extending from the second side.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the second portion is an elongated bar mounted on the tab.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the second portion is an L-shaped arm mounted on the tab.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the second portion is a peg extending through the tab.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the first portion is a pair of spaced apart snap-in receivers recessed into the second side.
 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the second portion is an L-shaped arm snapped-into each receiver.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the first portion is a pair of spaced apart tabs extending from the second side.
 13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the second portion is an elongated bar mounted on each tab.
 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the second portion is an L-shaped arm mounted on each tab.
 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the second portion is a peg extending through each tab.
 16. An information handling system comprising: a chassis; a microprocessor mounted in the chassis; a storage coupled to the microprocessor; a keyboard member coupled to provide input to the microprocessor, the keyboard member having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a plurality of keys on the first side; a void area defined by the second side; and a cable support removably mounted in the void area.
 17. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the cable support includes a first portion formed on the second side.
 18. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein the cable support includes a second portion removably attached to the first portion.
 19. A method of storing a cable comprising: providing a keyboard member having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; mounting a plurality of keys on the first side; providing a void area defined by the second side; and mounting a cable support in the void area.
 20. The method as defined in claim 19 further comprising: providing a first portion of the cable support on the second side.
 21. The method as defined in claim 20 comprising: removably attaching a second portion of the cable support to the first portion.
 22. The method as defined in claim 21 comprising: wrapping a keyboard cable around the cable support so that the cable is confined within the void area. 